Winter action plan enforced to tackle pollution in Gurugram, Faridabad

With light rains marking the onset of winter in NCR districts, Haryana has swung into action to combat seasonal pollution in Gurugram and Faridabad, the two cities that routinely record some of the worst air quality levels during the cold months.

Better prepared this year

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We are better prepared to deal with the air pollution challenge this year. The plan is in place, and implementation has already begun. Key industries are being sensitised, and there will be zero tolerance for violations. — Ajay Kumar, deputy commissioner, gurugram.

The Winter Action Plan 2025–26, prepared by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), has come into force with a comprehensive strategy to check vehicular emissions, industrial pollution and dust from roads and construction sites.

The plan includes a strict crackdown on old vehicles — diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years will be taken off the roads. Authorities have already identified around 15 lakh such vehicles across both districts. District transport departments and traffic police have begun enforcement drives.

In a major step to curb construction-related pollution, all builders and developers have been directed to register projects above 500 sq m on the state’s dust control portal. The HSPCB will conduct regular inspections and heavy penalties will be imposed on violators.

The administration has also ordered a complete ban on diesel generator (DG) sets, while industries have been instructed to switch to green fuels immediately.

To counter smog, the Gurugram Municipal Corporation will expand its fleet of water sprinklers from 8 to 40 and add 29 new road sweepers, taking the total to 54. Over 850 anti-smog guns will be deployed at major construction sites.

Similarly, Faridabad will increase its sprinklers from 25 to 38, add 15 road sweepers, and deploy 190 smog guns across key pollution hotspots.

Both Gurugram and Faridabad have been designated ‘low emission zones’, where the entry of high-polluting vehicles will be restricted.

“We are better prepared to deal with the air pollution challenge this year. The plan is in place, and implementation has already begun. Key industries are being sensitised, and there will be zero tolerance for violations,” said Ajay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram.

Officials said regular monitoring, inter-departmental coordination and public awareness campaigns will be critical to ensuring that the winter action plan delivers tangible results in curbing air pollution.